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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 821-822
JOHN BYRNE, a retired miner and farmer of Cuba City, Grant county, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1824, a son of Christopher and Catherine BYRNE, both also natives of Ireland, where Mrs. BYRNE died. After her demise Mr. BYRNE emigrated to this country, in 1849, settling at St. Rose, Smelser township, in Grant county, Wis., where he died in 1868. The following children came with the father to America: Thomas, Edward, Henry, Mary, Katie and Richard.
John BYRNE, our subject, grew to manhood in Ireland, where he received a fair education. He crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel in 1846, and after landing at New York crossed the mountains, going to Pittsburgh; came down the Ohio; up the Mississippi to Galena; and thence to Wisconsin, where he immediately began work in the lead mines at Hazel Green. Believing there was a better prospect in the gold fields of California, however, he worked there for two years, and then returned to Wisconsin. In 1852 he married Maggie BURN, a daughter of William and Nancy BURN, natives of Ireland, who resided in Hazel Green. Mrs. BYRNE was born in Ireland, and came with her parents to Grant county. After their marriage the young people settled down to life in Hazel Green, and the young husband found employment in the lead mines. He soon after purchased 120 acres of land in Smelser township, where he engaged in farming and mining. From time to time he added to this home until he had over 300 acres, and as he had continually made improvements, this estate became one of the finest in that section. As his children grew to maturity Mr. BYRNE divided his property among them, after having erected a beautiful home in Cuba City to which he retired with his wife, and they now are enjoying the comforts of life. Of the children born to these good people four died in childhood. Mary, the pride of the home, a highly cultivated young lady, died some years ago. William, born in Smelser, married Miss Mary FARHARTY, and resides in Cuba City, retired; he has seven children, John, Delia, Maggie, Nellie, Bernice, S. and Cornelius. Christopher, born in Grant county, married Miss Mary HILLARD, and has one daughter, Mary; he now lives in Smelser. Katie, born in Smelser, married Samuel WHALEY, and resides at Benton, Lafayette county; she has one son, Eugene. Annie, born in Smelser, married Arthur DICKINSON, and has one son, Joseph; they reside at White Oak, Lafayette county.
Mr. and Mrs. BYRNE are devout members of the Catholic Church, to whose support they have given generously, of both money and time. Mr. BYRNE was one of the founders of the church at Hazel Green, and also of that at St. Rose, where there is a fine edifice. All of his family have been reared in the faith of the church. Politically Mr. BYRNE is a stanch Democrat, and has always cast his vote for the candidates of that party. He is a typical self-made man, having attained his present ease and high estate in the community through hard unremitting labor and has made his name highly honored in Grant county.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck